“Our Story. Our Future”: Vancouver’s Transit Referendum
In the coming months, Metro Vancouver residents will be voting on a new transportation package proposed by The Mayor’s Council. A successful “yes” vote in this plebiscite will be a triumph, its failure a historic loss. One way or another, the citizens of Metro Vancouver will be deciding the future of their region, including quality of life, public health, the economy, environment, equity, and prospects for their children. It’s that big a deal.
The creative team at Modacity – along with SFU City Program Director Gordon Price – have released an emotionally compelling film, making the case for this crucial investment in a first-class transportation system. It tells the story of how past planners managed to build one of the most liveable regions in the world, and how this single decision will shape its future for decades to come.
Since its release on Wednesday, it has received over 4,000 views, and has been widely shared by the City of Vancouver, Mayor’s Council, CBC Radio’s Stephen Quinn, ‘Happy City’ author Charles Montgomery, Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore, New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Cote, and former Vancouver Chief Planner Brent Toderian. In Thursday’s edition of The Langley Times, Frank Bucholtz wrote:
“One of the few steps on the emotional level from the ‘Yes’ forces came with the release of a well-produced video featuring Gordon Price, former Vancouver councillor, head of the Simon Fraser University City Program, and an articulate, intelligent and visionary advocate for better cities. The video is well worth a look.”
With only a week until referendum ballots begin arriving in mailboxes around the region, this video offers an intelligent and thoughtful counter-argument to the ‘No’ side. It is a reminder of what has worked and, with a successful ‘Yes’ vote, will continue to make the Metro Vancouver region a great place to live, work and play.
